Viscera retainer for use in abdominal operations



G. J. KADAVY July 1, 1958 VISCERA RETAINER FOR USE IN ABDOMINAL OPERATIONS Filed June 21, 1957 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS A VISCERA RETAINER FOR USE [N ABDOMTNAL OPERATINS Godfrey J. Kadavy, maha, Nebr.

Application lume 21, 1957, Serial No. 667,169

3 Claims. (Cl. 12S-303) This invention relates to surgical instruments, the primary object of the invention being to provide an instrument for retaining the abdominal viscera away from the wound when suturing the peritoneum, to permit the suturing operation to be carried out with facility.

An important object of the invention is to provide an instrument of this character including substantially similar circular members pivotally connected at their ends so that the instrument may be extended into a substantially small opening and expanded to retain the abdominal viscera away from the wound during the operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide an instrument of this character which may be collapsed to permit the instrument to be readily removed through the small opening which has been left for that purpose during the suturing operation.

A still further object of the invention 'is to provide a tool which may be collapsed in a small opening, the instrument carrying an elastic cover to be stretched over the instrument as the instrument is expanded for use, the cover acting as a means to retain the abdominal viscera away from the wound during the operation.

With the foregoing and other objects in View which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts, hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claims, it being understood that changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure l is a plan view of a surgical instrument constructed in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 2 is an edge elevational View thereof.

Fig. 3 is a sectional View taken on line 3 3 of Fig. l.

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view illustrating the instrument as collapsed, with an elastic cover positioned thereon.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the instrument comprises a pair of substantially semicircular members 5 and 6, the member 6 being formed on a slightly larger curvature than the member 5, so that the member 5 may move to a position within the confines of the member 6.

The ladjacent ends of the members 5 and 6 are pivotally connected as by means of the rivets 7, so that pivotal movement of the members 5 and 6 may be permitted to expand or contract the instrument.

Connected to each of members S and 6, is an arm 8, the arms 8 having curved portions 9, the curved portion 9 of one of the arms 8 being riveted to the member 5 at 10, while the other arm 8 is riveted to the member 6, as at 10.

These arms 8 provide the handle for the instrument and are extended upwardly and laterally as better shown by rates Patent 2,841,148 Patented July 1, 1958 Fig. 2 of the drawing, and held in spaced relation with respect to each other for ease in operation.

Pivotally mounted on one of the arms S is a U-shaped clamp 11 which is of a length to t over the adjacent arm 8 when the arms have been moved to extend the semicircular members 5 and 6 in the formation of an oval body portion.

A cover 12 constructed of rubber material and shaped to fit over the semi-circular members 5 and 6, is provided, the cover having lan inwardly turned ange 13 which when stretched over the semi-circular members 5 and 6, will cause the cover to be securely held in position on the instrument, when the members 5 and 6 are in either their expanded or contracted positions.

In the use of the instrument, the members 5 and 6 are moved to positions as shown by Fig. 4 of the drawing, wherein the member 5 will lie within the contines of the member 6. The cover 12 is now stretched over the members 5 and 6 and the instrument inserted in the opening in the abdomen and the handles are raised moving the members 5 and 6 to an expanded position, as shown by Fig. l, which stretches the cover over the members 5 and 6 in a taut condition. The clamp 11 is now moved to hold the arms S against outward movement by the action of the rubber cover and the instrument is nowin a position to accomplish its purpose.

After the suturing of the peritoneum layer of the abdomen is almost completed, the lock is released and the arms moved to collapse the instrument, resulting in a substantial reduction in size so that the portion of the instrument that has entered the abdomen may be easily withdrawn through the small opening in the abdomen which has been left for this purpose. After removing the instrument, the suturing operation may be completed.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. A surgical instrument comprising a pair of semi- `circular members pivotally connected at their ends, handles secured to said semi-circular members adapted to expand said semi-circular members providing a substantially oval support over which an elastic cover is stretched, and said pair of semi-circular members adapted to be collapsed, reducing the size of said instrument facilitating the removal of said instrument through a substantially small opening.

2. A surgical instrument comprising a pair of semi- Icircular members pivotally connected at their ends, one of said members being formed in the arc of a circle at a greater degree than the other member to receive the iirst mentioned member when the members are moved together, handles connected to said members for effecting movement of said members providing an oval support, an elastic cover stretched over said substantially semicircular members, and means for normally holding said semi-circular members in an extended position.

3. A surgical instrument comprising a pair of semicircular members, pivotally connected at their ends, handles connected to said members for effecting movement of said semi-circular members and forming an oval body over which an elastic cover is stretched, said handles adapted to move outwardly collapsing said body, and means for locking said semi-circular members in their expanded positions.

Bell Aug. 13, 1918 Arbogast Feb. 22, 1927 

